| Buying a used car in Australia has a lot of | | | | hours are, weekdays from 8:30am to 5:30pm and |
| advantages over a new car, but it may have | | | | weekends from 9am to 5pm. |
| defects the seller hasn't told you about. Follow our | | | | The owner must provide you with a pink slip |
| quick ten point guide to avoid buying a lemon. | | | | inspection report current for the month. |
| 1. Buy the right used car for your needs | | | | 6. Take it for a test drive |
| Besides budget you also need to consider safety, | | | | Take the car for a drive on a quiet road and |
| security, makes and models you like, fuel | | | | listen for engine noise. Does it brake, steer and |
| consumption versus performance, running | | | | handle correctly? Is the suspension ok? Try a |
| servicing costs, travel distances, carrying | | | | reverse park, hill start and a 3 point turn. Brake |
| passengers, power for trailers or boats, parking, | | | | hard once or twice on an isolated section of the |
| space for work or sports gear. | | | | road at around 40 kph. Did it handle correctly or |
| 2. Consider other "fringe" costs | | | | veer to one side? |
| Above the cost of the car bought from the seller, | | | | 7. Negotiate the best deal |
| there is also stamp duty, registration, transfer | | | | Remember that while you still have the money in |
| fee, and insurance. Factor these costs in before | | | | your pocket, you're the boss! Do your homework |
| you go shopping for a used car that you can | | | | before you set out to purchase a used car and |
| afford. | | | | know what the average prices are. If they are in |
| 3. Do I buy it privately, from a dealer, online or at | | | | the ball park, offer a price slightly lower and |
| an auction? | | | | mention that you have seen better deals |
| Private - Advantages are that it is generally | | | | elsewhere if this is correct. If they don't budge, |
| cheaper as there are no overheads and you can | | | | mention the costs for repair and wait for them to |
| meet and discuss the history with the owner. | | | | talk. Depending on how much you want the car, |
| Disadvantages are that there is no warranty, no | | | | make a slightly higher offer or ask if they could |
| security of title, no legal comeback if you buy a | | | | throw in something like new tyres for free. If |
| lemon, may have extensive concealed damage or | | | | they still won't budge, walk away. There are |
| repair work. | | | | plenty of other cars in the market and it is likely |
| Dealer - Advantages are that if there is money | | | | there are better deals nearby. |
| owing or is stolen, you have recourse against the | | | | 8. Paying the money |
| dealer, you get a warranty, you may be offered | | | | Taking cash is a great way to negotiate as the |
| a trade in on you old car, you have a "cooling off" | | | | sight of a wad of notes may be an incentive for |
| period if you are obtaining finance to buy a used | | | | a cash strapped seller. It may also be a security |
| car from a company linked to the dealer and the | | | | risk, so if you are unsure, pay by a bank cheque. |
| car is more likely to be in a road worthy condition | | | | If you can't raise the money from your own |
| before being offered for sale. | | | | reserves, shop around for the best finance deal |
| Disadvantages are that dealers are often more | | | | online. A good resource for borrowing money at |
| expensive, you are likely to get a poorer price as | | | | the best rate is Always get a receipt from the |
| a trade in on your old car, and some dealers can | | | | seller with a statement that the vehicle is |
| be very pushy. | | | | unencumbered by any loans or finance. Talk to |
| Online - Advantages are that you don't have to | | | | your accountant about the best way to purchase |
| travel, plenty of information is available on pricing, | | | | the vehicle if it is to be used for your business. |
| you sometimes get colour photos of the used | | | | They may advise you that a chattel mortgage is |
| car, you can buy in most areas of Australia, and | | | | often the best way to borrow for this purpose, |
| you don't have to negotiate face to face. | | | | depending on your circumstances. |
| Disadvantages are you may not be able to see | | | | 9. Transfer the registration |
| and test drive the vehicle, particularly if you are | | | | Once the sale has been agreed on, the |
| buying interstate. | | | | registration must be transferred to the new |
| Auctions - Advantages are that they may be | | | | owner. Make sure the seller gives you the pink slip |
| cheaper and have a guarantee of title | | | | and completes the disposal notice, then take them |
| Disadvantages are that it may be subject to an | | | | to the R.T.A. and pay for the transfer. |
| auction fee, may also have to re-register the car | | | | Instructions on how to do this are on the reverse |
| and get a roadworthy certificate, there is no | | | | of the registration papers. |
| warranty, can't test drive, no legal comeback if | | | | 10. Before you drive away |
| you buy a lemon. | | | | Make sure you get all the keys for the car |
| 4. Take someone with you and get an inspection. | | | | (ignition keys with transformers are expensive to |
| Two pairs of eyes and ears are better than one | | | | duplicate). Get the service book, owner's manual |
| and it helps strengthen your negotiations if you | | | | and log book. |
| have someone on your side, particularly if they | | | | If there's an alarm, find out how to de-activate it. |
| know more about cars than you do. Preferably | | | | Is there a hidden ignition switch? Ask the owner |
| take along a mechanic or pay for an inspection. It | | | | or dealer if there is anything else to know about |
| usually saves you a lot of time and heartache and | | | | your new used car. You may be pleasantly or |
| is well worth the money. A qualified person will | | | | unpleasantly surprised at the response! |
| identify poor repairs and rust, faulty electrical | | | | Handy phone numbers and online details |
| wiring, exhaust, engine noises, tyres wheel and | | | | NRMA Vehicle Inspections |
| brake faults, car interior linings, seat belts and | | | | 13 11 22 |
| window operation. | | | | Get a thorough report on the car's mechanics and |
| 5. Check the ownership | | | | condition from our experts at NRMA. Vehicle |
| In NSW Australia call R.E.V.S. REVS stands for the | | | | Inspection bookings can be made seven days a |
| Register of Encumbered Vehicles. It is a statutory | | | | week, between 7 am and 10 pm for Sydney, the |
| public register which assists the general public, the | | | | Central Coast, Newcastle, Wollongong and |
| finance sector and the motor trade. REVS is a | | | | Canberra. In country areas, phone 13 11 22 for |
| business service provided by the NSW Office of | | | | your nearest NRMA inspection service. |
| Fair Trading which can tell you if a motor vehicle | | | | RTA |
| or boat you are thinking of buying is carrying a | | | | 132 213 |
| debt. In order to do a REVS check you must | | | | Check for stolen parts, that the registration is |
| supply : | | | | current and that the seller is the registered owner. |
| 1. Registration Number if vehicle is registered | | | | Visit the RTA website or e-mail the RTA. |
| 2. VIN or chassis number | | | | .gov.au |
| 3. Engine number | | | | REVS |
| To ensure the accuracy of the vehicle you should | | | | 1800 424 988 or (02) 9633 6333 |
| obtain the details from the vehicle and compare | | | | Check no money is owed on the car. Have the |
| them with the details on the registration papers. | | | | Certificate of Registration handy when you call. |
| For a fee of $12.00 a REVS Search Certificate, | | | | Visit the REVS website [ or e-mail |
| which gives you conditional legal protection against | | | | merce.nsw.gov.au |
| repossession due to the previous owner's unpaid | | | | NRMA Insurance |
| debt, is available to you for purchase online. You | | | | 132 132 |
| can also purchase a certificate from the REVS call | | | | Get insurance cover before you drive away. Call |
| centre on (02) 9633 6333 (Sydney) or (1800) | | | | NRMA Insurance 7am-10pm, seven days a week. |
| 424 988 (Country) 7 days a week. Call centre | | | | |